Review by my 11-yo:

Thirteen-year-old Kai Montgomery thought the biggest challenge he'd face would be his next
martial arts tournament on the colony planet Kalifornia. That was until a cryptic alien crashed
near his home, thrusting him into a fight far beyond
his wildest daydreams. Armed with only his quick wit
and a strange device handed to him by the dying
alien, Kai finds himself drafted into the Galaxy Gladiators-a high-stakes interstellar melee where
the price of defeat is death.

I liked Galaxy Gladiators because it’s a sci-fi,
futuristic kind of book, and I reckon that it would fall
under the fantasy category of all books. I would
recommend this book to all sci-fi lovers out there,
and it would have to be 5 stars from me.

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This was a fun fast-paced middle grade sci-fi book with great world building and alien populations.

Hero Kai has a background in martial arts, which he uses - alongside the strategy and skill of chance companions along the way - to escape the gladiatorial contest.

The concept of being unwittingly drafted into a fight to the death because you pushed a button is horrifying, doubly so because the main character is only 13.

Well written and engaging for the middle grade audience. We look forward to reading more in the series.

~ Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~

The cover is what drew me in because it had a great scifi feel to it. I was hooked from the first page of this book and so glad I got to read this. It had the scifi elements that I wanted and thought the characters were realistically written in this universe. C.M. Bilson writes a strong story and hope there is more in the Stellar Cadets universe.

If you like sci-fi and martial arts this is the book for you. It is the story of Kai who helps his Mother teach beginners in martial arts. He is sent to a space station in space where he trained to fight alien gladiators. After time Kai gets helpers to try to help them all escape. They are made up of humans and aliens and all have special talents. I believe it will hold the sci-fi person in your lifes interest and is action packed.

What worked:
The book combines elements of science fiction with familiar details to make the story more relatable for young readers. In the opening chapter, Kai lives in Kalifornia which has sandy beaches along an ocean shore. He walks to his mom’s dojo after school where he practices martial arts and helps his mom instruct beginning students. After being transported to a space station somewhere among the stars, Kai is immediately given a translator so readers don’t need to learn any alien vocabulary from the strange characters. The author even has Kai buddy up with another human who helps him with fighting strategies.
The book contains abundant action as Kai is either training to fight or combating alien gladiators in the ring. A longtime, popular champion is killed in the first match which immediately lets Kai and readers know the possible, high-stakes consequences of losing. Most of the other fighters are larger, faster, or have more arms than Kai but his martial arts training may give him some advantages. Gladiators aren’t allowed to bring weapons into the ring but opponents’ large claws can still maim and execute just as well as knives.
Kai enlists the help of different characters who all share a strong desire to escape their captivity. One of his first new friends is an alien with flashing colors on her skin and a cheery disposition. Max is Kai’s fighting strategist and he’s a technology expert. Another character has a unique fighting skill as she’s able to disappear and then reappear to deliver damaging blows.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot moves quickly but that’s because it lacks much story and character development. The fast pace will appeal to many young readers. Also, Kai frequently gives himself mental pep talks saying he believes in himself and he will succeed. The message itself isn’t a problem but it loses its effect when it happens way too often. The messages become redundant.
The final verdict:
The book has oodles of action and the fast-paced plot will appeal to emerging readers. It’s fun, entertaining, and I recommend you give it a shot.